Volkswagen AG |
1968-1972(411) 1972–July 1974(412) |
Mid-size/Large family car(D) |
2-doorsaloon 4-doorsaloon 3-doorestate |
RR layout |
Volkswagen Type 3 |
1679ccFlat-4(411) 1795 ccFlat-4(412) |
4-speed manual 3-speed automatic optional |
2,500mm (98in)[1] |
4,553mm (179.3in)(411) 4,583mm (180.4in)[1](412) |
1,675mm (65.9in)[1] |
1,475mm (58.1in)[1] |
1,020kg (2,250lb) 2-door 411 1,120kg (2,470lb) Variant |
Volkswagen Passat |
TheVolkswagen Type 4is a mid-sized car manufactured and marketed byVolkswagenof Germany from 1968 to 1974 in two-door and four-doorsedanas well as two-doorstation wagonbody styles. The Type 4 evolved through two generations, the411(1968–72) and412series (1972–74).
Designed under the direction ofHeinrich Nordhoffand introduced at theParis Motor Showin October 1968,[2]the 411 was Volkswagen's largest passenger vehicle with the company's largest engine – with styling credited toCarozzeria Pininfarina, who at the time had an advisory contract with Volkswagen.[3]The cars retained VW's trademarkair-cooled,rear placement, rear-wheel drive,boxer enginewith a front/rear weight distribution of 45/55%[3]and a forward cargo storage 400l (14.1cuft)[4]— while also introducing design and engineering departures for the company – including a completely flat passenger area floor and suspension using control arms andMacPherson struts. Volkswagen had prototyped anotchbacksedan version of the 411, without introducing it to production.
Over its six-year production run, Volkswagen manufactured 367,728 Type 4 models, compared with 210,082 of the subsequentVolkswagen K70with its four-year model life. In the United States, VW sold 117,110 Type 4s from 1971 to July 1974. As Volkswagen's lastair-cooledsedans and wagons, the Type 4 models were succeeded by the first generationPassat, marketed as theDasherin the USA.